Imagine spending an entire weekend lying by a pool with lush green vineyards on one side, a clear view of the Andes Mountains in front, and a glass of wine in hand. This is my idea of the perfect vacation in Mendoza, so I was delighted to go on a mini-holiday to Club Tapiz Hotel & Restó where all my dreams were realized.

While I’ve reviewed a couple luxury hotels in Mendoza, I also wanted to find and review some hotels that provide a wonderful place to relax and unwind in the wine country for around $200 a night. Club Tapiz was the ideal hotel, as it is affordable, picturesque, and perfectly located for exploring the wine country in Mendoza. From exquisite 5-course dinners at its restaurant Terruño to meeting other guests at the evening wine tastings, I enjoyed experiencing all that Club Tapiz has to offer.

The Hotel

Club Tapiz is a typical Argentinian posada or country lodge that was originally built in 1890. Though it is only 25 minutes from the city of Mendoza by car, this hotel feels a world away, surrounded by endless acres of vineyards and olive trees. Located in Maipú, one of Mendoza’s wine regions, there are countless wineries within easy driving distance, making it the perfect outpost for exploring Mendoza’s wine country.

The posada consists of seven rooms laid out in an L-shape, three with views of the vineyard and pool and four with views of the courtyard. There are four additional rooms in Casa Zolo, a separate house where the winery owner lived and had administrative offices. Also on the property is a restaurant that is open to the public, a small olive oil production facility, and the Old Winery, now an event space.

While at Club Tapiz, I stayed in one of the vineyard facing rooms. Due to it’s old age, the lobby and guest rooms in this building are full of charm and character. Contrasting elements from the past and present balance one another perfectly: high wooden ceilings and elegant wallpaper, rustic antiques and modern art, traditional architecture and contemporary furnishings. Throwing the antique doors open onto the courtyard, I felt carried back to a time when residents would have kept the doors and windows open all day to allow the breeze to pass through the rooms. I felt very comfortable during my stay at Club Tapiz, whether I was resting in my room, reading in the lobby, or sunning by the pool.

Less than a 10 minute walk from the main hotel building is Casa Zolo. Though it’s a bit apart from the rest of the hotel, it is a good place to stay if you want more privacy or if you’re planning on renting several rooms with friends or family. It features its own private swimming pool and living room; breakfast from the restaurant is also served at the house each morning. However, if you want to be closer to the pool by the vineyard, restaurant, and nightly wine tasting area, the main building may be your best choice.

While at Club Tapiz, guests are invited to make themselves at home. Whether you’re interested in exploring the Old Winery that still houses humongous wine barrels, going down to the winemaker’s private underground wine cellar, visiting the olive oil production facilities, or relaxing in the pool and jacuzzi, there is quite a lot to enjoy on the property.

Wine Tasting

One of the perks of staying at Club Tapiz is getting to participate in the nightly wine tastings. Hosted by the manager Alejandro from 8:00-9:00 each evening, these complimentary wine tastings are the perfect way to meet other guests, enjoy the sunset over the vineyard, and taste wine produced by Bodega Tapiz. Bodega Tapiz’s new wine production facility is located about 20 minutes away in Lujan de Cuyo. Guests of the hotel are welcome to visit the winery as part of their stay; however, transportation is not included, so this is a great way to try their wines without having to leave the hotel. After the tasting, guests are invited to share the remaining wine before going to dinner.

Each night, Alejandro opens two bottles of wine, usually a white varietal and a red varietal, to taste and discuss with one another. The first night at the hotel, Alejandro shared with us an oaked Chardonnay and a Bonarda. The latter is a red wine varietal that is gaining prestige in Mendoza, a wine many guests had never heard of. The second night, we tasted a Torrontes Extra Brut before going to see the wine cellar where the bottles of sparkling wine are undergoing second fermentation. Since it was most of the guests’ last night at the hotel, Alejandro gave us a special olive oil tasting. We then finished with a lovely Syrah. This was a great opportunity to learn more about Mendoza and its wine in a lovely, laid-back setting.

Terruño Restó

I was incredibly impressed with the restaurant at Club Tapiz. Terruño Restó offers à la carte options, a 3-course meal where the guest selects each course, and set 5-course meal. I found the menu to be quite innovative, with one interesting dish after another. But most importantly, every dish was delicious and fresh, with veggies straight from the hotel’s garden. Favorite dishes include the salad appetizer, a beautiful dish with colorful vegetables artfully placed on a bed of goat cheese; the Ribeye with potatoes and garlic, a delicious take on the classic Argentinian dish; and the Vacío with chimichurri and vegetables, a meat so tender that it isn’t served with a knife.

The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, so I would recommend planning accordingly. For example, one day I ate a small lunch from the room service menu while lounging at the pool; then I had the 5-course dinner that night at the restaurant. Another day, I ate a large lunch while visiting a winery, so I had a smaller dinner from the a la carte menu at the restaurant.

Breakfast is served each morning and includes medialunas (croissants), cereal, granola, yogurt, ham and cheese, toast, and a selection of marmalades — the typical Argentinian breakfast buffet spread. However, the kitchen will also cook scrambled eggs, an omelette, and even bacon for guests. The restaurant makes good drip coffee, fresh orange juice, or guests can try yerba mate, an infusion similar to green tea that is popular in South America.

Prices:
AR$700 for 5-course meal, not including wine
AR$400 for 3-course meal, not including wine

Club Tapiz

The managers and staff at Club Tapiz were all incredibly friendly and helpful throughout my stay. From the first day’s tour of the hotel to checking out on the last day, they went above and beyond to make my stay a comfortable one. I especially appreciated one of the managers sitting down with me and giving me suggestions for things to do nearby. Since I didn’t have a car, she even arranged for a cab to pick me up to take me to a winery. The overall service and attention to detail really impressed me.

The bucolic setting, nightly wine tasting, gourmet restaurant, excellent service, and, of course, the amazing pool, all made me feel like I was living a life of luxury, but for less than half the price. So, if you’re looking for a great deal on a hotel in the heart of Mendoza’s wine country, consider staying at Club Tapiz.